The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for April 23, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re in Wisconsin today, where Governor Tony Evers signed on to a state supreme case to restore drop boxes, and disability and democracy groups are pushing to allow electronic ballots for disabled citizens.
The pre-August 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court allowed heavily-gerrymandered and non-contiguous state legislative maps to stand. After a power shift last year, those maps were thrown out by the new court, and more equitable maps approved. The previous court also banned most ballot drop boxes, and required that absentee ballots could only be returned physically by the voter, not by others.
In March 2024, the current Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to reconsider the case, brought by a voter, Priorities USA, and the Wisconsin Alliance of Retired Americans. April 19th, Governor Tony Evers’ request to be an intervenor in the case was accepted, and oral arguments are scheduled for May 13th.
A district court case filed April 16th by Disability Rights Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters, asks the court to compel the Wisconsin Election Board to allow disabled voters to vote absentee electronically. The Wisconsin Examiner reports the state has no accommodation for blind and low-vision voters that doesn’t require assistance, violating ballot secrecy. Twelve states allow the disabled to vote electronically, and 33 allow electronic ballots for overseas and military voters, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The case will likely be heard later this year.
We have more on these cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NPR – The Wisconsin Supreme Court says ballot drop boxes aren’t allowed in the state
Democracy Docket – (2022) Wisconsin Drop Box Ban Challenge
Wisconsin Public Radio – Wisconsin Supreme Court case could set up do-over of 2022 ruling banning drop boxes
Wisconsin Watch/Votebeat – Wisconsin voters with disabilities demand a better way to vote absentee
Wisconsin Examiner – Wisconsin voters with disabilities demand a better way to vote absentee
National Conference of State Legislatures – Electronic Ballot Return
Groups Taking Action:
Disability Rights Wisconsin, League of Women Voters WI, Wisconsin Alliance of Retired Americans
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